Mr. Powell made his first conservatory flute in 1928, called the Commercial model. Today’s Conservatory models combine the aesthetics of the traditional Handmade Custom model with Powell’s Posi-Stop™ tail design, and are offered with a hand cut Custom Powell headjoint.

The Conservatory model is a handmade, professional quality flute. Aurumite is the unique combination of sterling silver and gold, developed by Powell in 1987, and used for Handmade flutes since then. Through a patented fusion process, Powell produces flute tubing made of interlocking layers of gold and silver.

The Handmade Conservatory version of Aurumite is called "Aurumite 9K." The outer layer of the flute is 9K rose gold, which is metallurgically fused to an inner layer of sterling silver. It is not made with plating or bonding. In fact, an Aurumite 9K flute body contains 25 times more gold than a 24K gold-plated flute body, and the embouchure plate is solid 9K gold. The gold in the Aurumite 9K produces a warm and darker quality, while retaining the resonance and projection of silver.

Headjoint Cuts:Philharmonic - Philharmonic headjoint is readily identified by its broader embouchure plate, which makes it the most resistant of the styles offered by Powell. Articulation is crisp and clean, and this style is capable of broad dynamic and timbral ranges. A player can create a rich tone with extraordinary carrying power and focus.

Soloist - The Soloist headjoint is the newest addition to the headjoint styles offered by Powell. This new style was developed in collaboration with renowned flutist, Ransom Wilson. The Soloist headjoint features strength and flexibility. It offers a strong sound which allows the player to fill a hall, as well as complete command for performing the quietest of passages. The embouchure plate, which is similar to the Boston style, provides the player with quick, responsive articulation while a new style of undercutting gives the headjoint its strong, full color.

Venti - The name "Venti" encapsulates the concept of a headjoint that allows air to pass freely through the instrument and beyond, giving the performer variations of flexibility, dynamics, power and sound.The result is a headjoint that allows for depth of sound through all three octaves, even pitch and dynamic range, as well as a sound that is powerful without being wild or breaking up.